SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Trends of Folate Testing at Ummc

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This retrospective observational study examined serum folate testing at UMMC in hospitalized adults aged 18 and older from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2021. Using de-identified EPIC data from Patient Cohort Explorer, the authors analyzed how often folate tests were ordered and how frequently results were abnormal.<br /><br />Folate, or vitamin B9, is important for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. Deficiency can occur with malabsorption, certain medications, pregnancy, alcoholism, or hemolytic anemia, and may cause megaloblastic anemia and oral ulcers. Folate deficiency is often considered alongside vitamin B12 deficiency, though neurologic symptoms and elevated MMA are more typical of B12 deficiency, while elevated homocysteine supports folate deficiency.<br /><br />A total of 21,852 folate tests were ordered on 18,346 patients across 17,664 hospital encounters. Testing was nearly balanced by sex, with 11,161 tests in females and 10,688 in males. Most tests were performed in African American patients (12,136), followed by Caucasian patients (8,998). The median patient age was 60 years. Most patients had only one folate test per hospitalization, though some had repeated testing.<br /><br />On average, 2,425 tests were performed annually, peaking in 2016 and declining to the lowest level in 2020. Among 21,832 tests with available results, 3,086 (14.1%) were abnormal. Low folate levels accounted for 909 tests (4.16%), while high levels were seen in 2,177 tests (9.96%).<br /><br />Overall, the study found that folate testing was common at UMMC, and abnormal results were not rare, with elevated folate levels occurring more often than low levels.

Asset Subtitle

Nicki E. Lawson

Meta Tag

Author List Aaliyah Newsome, Isabella Kelly, Nicki E. Lawson, Pradeep Bathina

Category Research

Concept Folic Acid

Concept Folate Deficiency

Concept Nucleic Acid Synthesis

Concept Erythropoiesis

Concept Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Mississippi School of Medicine

Presenting Author Nicki E. Lawson

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

folate testing

vitamin B9

hospitalized adults

retrospective observational study

serum folate

abnormal results

megaloblastic anemia

UMMC

EPIC data

vitamin B12 deficiency

Folic Acid

Folate Deficiency

Nucleic Acid Synthesis

Erythropoiesis

Vitamin B12 Deficiency